“Hang on. Let me check my book.” Luna pretended to be looking at something, then responded, “That would work out perfectly. The center is closed, so I wouldn’t have to find someone to work at the café.”

“Excellent. Any chance you can come out on Sunday so we’ll have all day Monday to figure this out?”

“What about Carter?”

“He has a game early that afternoon, so he’ll be back at his mother’s by four.”

“I think that sounds like a plan.” Luna was resisting the temptation to jump up and down. “Listen, I have to go. Chi-Chi is here.”

“Tell her I was very impressed with her solo.”

“Will do. Talk later. Ciao!” Luna disconnected the call.

Chi-Chi looked at her with the widest eyes ever. “So? Another trip to Charlotte?”

“Yes!” Now Luna was jumping up and down. “He wants me to help him pick out paint and stuff.”

“Things seem to be moving in the right direction!” Chi-Chi gave Luna a high five. “Now, where were we?”

“I forget.” Luna laughed. “So much has happened in the past twenty-four hours.”

“You have that right, my friend.”

“I guess this will give you and Cullen an excuse to have dinner again.”

“Perhaps. But I think I should invite him over for an authentic Nigerian dinner. We will start with chin chin. Little tiny nibbles of dough and sweetness. Then we shall have suya, spiced meat on skewers with akara fritters. Then efo riro, which is a stew made with spinach and vegetables and meat.”

“Sounds delicious. How come you’ve never made that for me?”

“Because you didn’t take me to Bouchorelle!” Chi-Chi laughed loudly. “Do you think he will agree to come?”

“Only if you invite him.”

“That is something I can do.” Chi-Chi smiled.

The women continued discussing the high points of the weekend. By the time Chi-Chi finished her story about Jennine, the two of them were practically rolling.

“I do not want her stalking me asking me too many questions about Abeo.”

“I’m sure you will be able to nip it in the bud.” Luna took one more sip. “Besides, you’re much taller than she is. You can intimidate her with one of your cold stares.”

Chi-Chi stood and folded her arms. She made a scowling face. “Like this?”

Luna was doubled over. “Exactly!”

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Monday morning

Luna was unpacking her overnight bag when she decided to go through her wardrobe. She didn’t wear half of what was in there. She didn’t even know what was in there. It was time to refresh and renew. She wasn’t sure if what she felt for Chris was love or a serious kind of like.